Kyle Larson celebrates after winning Friday night’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race at Golden Isles Speedway. Photo: LOLMDS Media
Kyle Larson passed Ricky Thornton, Jr. on lap 48 to win Friday night’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Georgia.
Thornton, who led laps 30-47 finished in second, with Evans, Georgia’s Brandon Overton in third after leading the first 29 laps. Earl Pearson, Jr. was fourth and Hudson O’Neal finished fifth.
Overton was in control from the start of the event, but a caution on lap 10 for a slowing G.R. Smith brought out the first of two cautions in the race. On the restart, Overton held the point over O’Neal, Thornton and Larson. Larson moved to second on lap 13 as the second caution came a lap later for a slowing Wil Herrington.
The remainder of the race went caution free and proved to be a dog fight among the top three of Overton, Larson, and Thornton. Thornton and Larson went toe-to-toe for second behind Overton as those three drivers were using every inch of the track. Thornton kept his car glued to the bottom clearing Larson for second on lap 28.
Two laps later, Thornton made the pass on Overton to take the top spot. When Thornton got by, Overton and Larson then had to battle to stay in the hunt for the win. Larson moved back into second on lap 41, relegating Overton to third. Meanwhile, out front, Thornton kept his line as Larson and Overton stayed close. Overton got back by Larson for second on lap 45.
Larson charged to the outside of the track going by Overton and eventually Thornton on lap 48. Larson then opened up enough of a gap to cross the finish line ahead of Thornton and Overton for the win.
Larson’s only mistake came during his post-race celebration, when his car ended up going nose first into the turn three wall.
“I feel bad that I tore up a perfectly good race car,” said Larson. “I think this takes the cake as far as an embarrassing moment. I don’t know what to say. I want to say I am sorry to Kevin Rumley. What a race. I was so excited after the race, because that was an awesome race. There were so many moments out there. I almost got by Overton, and I got too cute. I tried to throw a slider into one and two and I should have known I wasn’t going to clear him and that allowed Ricky to get by me and I thought that was the end of the race.”
Dennis Erb Jr., Daulton Wilson, Devin Moran, Kyle Strickler, and Blairsville, Georgia’s Jonathan Davenport rounded out the top 10.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series returns to action at Golden Isles Speedway on Saturday, January 28. For more information, visit LucasDirt.com.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Golden Isles Speedway – Brunswick, GA
Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing – January 27, 2023
1. Kyle Larson
2. Ricky Thornton, Jr.
3. Brandon Overton
4. Earl Pearson Jr.
5. Hudson O’Neal
6. Dennis Erb, Jr.
7. Daulton Wilson
8. Devin Moran
9. Kyle Strickler
10. Jonathan Davenport
11. Tim McCreadie
12. Carson Ferguson
13. Mason Zeigler
14. Tanner English
15. Tyler Bruening
16. Tyler Erb
17. Spencer Hughes
18. Brandon Sheppard
19. Ross Robinson
20. Garrett Alberson
21. Garrett Smith
22. Steven Roberts
23. Jordan Koehler
24. Logan Roberson
25. Brian Shirley
26. Kyle Bronson
27. Wil Herrington
28. G.R. Smith
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